MENUThe best modifications for the BMW F34
"Our tuning guide will help you choose the finest upgrades for your F34."
The BMW F34 is one of three compact executive cars that make up the sixth-generation of BMW automobiles. The F34 or to give it the full formal name the BMW F34 GT Gran Turismo was a 5 door version of the F30.
As a result of several inquiries from our site visitors and forum users on the F34 and requesting tips on how to modify one, we've written this article to go over what we believe to be the major areas that contribute to the success of tuning and improving this vehicle.
This car set new standards for elegance, luxury, and comes with a pedigree of sporting excellence, and it compliments the BMW range well. Its bold outward styling shows a conscientious evolution of this masterpiece, which extends from its outer appearances to its internal comforts and conveniences.
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The car entered manufacturing in 2011 and was introduced to the market as a 2012 model in 2012. F34 models were manufactured by BMW in a number of different engine configurations, after which the vehicle received an update in 2015 that improved its overall appearance.
Until the release of its successor (the BMW 3-series G20) in 2019, the F34 LCI variants were in production as post LCI versions.
Following the facelift, the engines were changed from normally aspirated 6 or 4-cylinder engines to turbocharged 4-cylinder or 3-cylinder engines, which is where the fun begins with the tuning and performance upgrades.
This 3-cylinder engine was originally used in the BMW 3-series automobiles, and it was the first time it was used.
In addition to electronic stability control, front suspension mounts, shock absorbers, LED headlights, and taillights, the vehicle has received several updates. Bluetooth audio streaming, rev-matching for manual transmissions, and GPS-based gear selection for automatic transmissions are all now included as standard equipment, replacing optional features.
Engine specifications for the BMW F34 model
Turbocharged engines were added to the lineup across the board, as well as a plug-in hybrid model.
Because we are developing some engine-specific tuning instructions, please let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions to share in the comments part of this article.
We are expanding this guide into some engine specific tuning guides, so if you have any tips or suggestions to pass on please let us know in the comments section below.
Gasolene
Diesel
Post-facelift models
- 340xi Steptronic (2015-2018) automatic transmission with 8 gears
- B58B30 3-L Inline-six twin-power turbo with AWD setup | 326 hp and 332 lb-ft
- 340xi (2015-2018) manual transmission with 6 gears
- B58B30 3-L Inline-six twin-power turbo with AWD setup | 326 hp and 332 lb-ft
- 335d xDrive Steptronic (2015-2018) automatic transmission with 8 gears
- N57D30 3-L Inline-six twin-power turbo with AWD setup | 313 hp and 464 lb-ft
N55B30 3-L Inline-six twin-power turbo with RWD setup 0.675 kWh batteries offering 2.5 miles range
Total System Power and Torque: 340 hp and 450 lb-ft
- 335xi sedan (2012-2015) automatic transmission with 6 gears
- N55B30 3.0 L twin-power turbo engine with AWD layout | 306 hp and 295 lb-ft
- 335xi sedan (2012-2015) manual transmission with 6 gears
- N55B30 3.0 L twin-power turbo engine with AWD layout | 306 hp and 295 lb-ft
Best Mods for the F34.
With these modifications, you may transform your BMW into a high-performance vehicle. The following are the most significant enhancements:
Before you begin, consider how far you want to push your automobile with the following sports modifications, which are typically installed by our community members.
Getting the best sports mods for your car based on how you want to use it will save you both time and money. Stage 3 motor sport components simply do not perform well on the road, making them difficult to control in slow traffic.
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Best mods for your F34
- Braking Mods - Enhancing your stopping power ought to be high on your agenda.
- Remaps - A tune/remap offers the biggest gains for your outlay, aftermarket ECU upgrades, and Tuning boxes are all alternatives.
- F34 Handling Mods (suspension) - Upgrading your suspension greatly enhances your F34 road holding and cornering. Coilovers and Bushings are the usual go to mods
- Flowing and porting the engine head - for larger gains, you will get better flow and make a more efficient engine if you do this to support your other mods.
- Fast road Camshafts are significant power adders, but they must be installed by someone who knows what they are doing and you might struggle to find one but there might be a local firm to regrind a stock cam.
- Lighter flywheels - a reduced weight flywheel will improve the engines ability to rev freely. But not always suitable for all F34 engines.
- Forced induction upgrades - Adding a turbocharger is the most efficient approach to increase your intakes air supply, which permits you to use more fuel and make power gains. It is one of the most challengeing modifications it offers big gains.
- Air Induction and Exhaust Upgrades - NB: on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER in most cases, but they can help release power after other mods by lessening the restriction.
F34 stage 1 mods
Typical stage 1 mods often include: Panel air filters, drilled & smoothed airbox, Remaps/piggy back ECU, Intake manifolds, Sports exhaust header/manifold, Fast road camshaft.
F34 stage 2 mods
Typical stage 2 mods often include: induction kit, Sports catalyst & performance exhaust, high flow fuel injectors, fuel pump upgrades, Ported and polished head, Fast road cam.
F34 stage 3 mods
Typical stage 3 mods often include: Internal engine upgrades (head flowing porting/bigger valves), Engine balancing & blueprinting, Crank and Piston upgrades to alter compression, Competition cam, Twin charging conversions, Adding or Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger)
Peak power is all well and good but for a drivable and fun car you need a wide torque band and perhaps extending the rev range.
Peak power is all fine and dandy, but for a car that really is drivable and enjoyable to control, a wide torque band and, possibly, an extended rpm range is required.
Remaps are the way to go; no other mod provides as much power for such a small investment and for such a basic mod.
Are tunes or remaps worth doing on the F31?
There is a lot of work done by the ECU, which monitors air temperature and other things like engine speed, load, and turbo/wastegate control. This makes it possible to control the ignition timing of the engine with great accuracy.
This means that you can extract the greatest amount of power from the engine at any rev range.
People now have a lot more control over how much fuel and how much power their cars get thanks to new Turbochargers and injectors that are being made. It was a long time ago when manufacturers were mostly concerned about meeting emission regulations
As a result, there has been a new level of progress made in the engine and in engine technology because of this.
What does engine tuning/remapping the F34 ECU help do?
A car manufacturer can make small changes to the economy at speeds like 30mph, 56mph, and 70mph, where a lot of people drive.
In this case, when the throttle is wide open, you can move the timing forward to get a lot more power, or slow it down when you're at a steady speed to get better gas mileage.
Why do OEM maps not work? Because of things like different fuel emission regulations in different parts of the world and different temperatures, a manufacturer leaves a lot of room for error when they make a time map.
There is a lot of room for things like bad weather, small flaws, and bad conditions to happen without affecting the running of the engine. So when a manufacturer makes a timing map, so it's important to pay attention. It's usually necessary to change the one set up for all approach because some countries have different goals when it comes to CO2, HC, and NOx emissions.
Why tune/remap an F34?
Car manufacturers build in a lot of room for mistakes so that people don't have to break down, have parts fail early, or get a bad reputation for being uneconomical when they buy them.
Keeping all the F34's on the road running smoothly is a challenge because each country uses a different kind of fuel and has different weather and driving conditions so BMW need to fudge the mapping to cover all these extremes, and needs to go to the lowest common denominator. There are also a lot of different types of cars that come off the line.
In some cases, some people get 20bhp less than they should. In other cases, people who make their parts well and put them together get more than they should.
There is no need to go through a different process for each car to come up with a unique timing map. Instead, they use a "one map fits all" philosophy, which isn't very good.
Custom maps on a rolling road are ideal for extensively modified F34's since they allow you an opportunity to extract the maximum amount of power from each modification.
Choose a specialist with an extensive understanding of BMW for the best outcomes; the broad "we tune/remap anything" firms are frequently just franchisees, and you'll likely get an off-the-shelf generic enhanced map, but the car will have greater potential as a result of the upgrade.
To attain a total power output of more than 400 horsepower, your F34 will require a tune or tune/remap as well as some basic bolt-ons. Put a BMS Stage-one kit in it and you'll be OK. Upgrades to your engine's airflow, fueling, and exhaust will remove any potential restrictions and position you for significant power gains.
Replace the old coil packs and sparkplugs with new ones in order to recoup lost power. Also, make sure the engine has been maintained and that the compression and clutch are in good working order before using it.
Modifications to the F34's exhaust and intake
Now it's time to check the intake and exhaust systems to make sure the engine is running smoothly.
Please keep in mind that we do not find improvements with intake kits unless you have adjusted your car to produce more than 30% more power and are finding that the normal air intake has become a limitation in the process.
Installing an induction kit is a good idea, but be sure it has a cold air intake and is not sucking in warm air from the engine bay.
If you notice that your engine is running lean, one of the first things you should do is upgrade to a better-flowing air filter to improve airflow into the engine.
Many of our members prefer the MST cold air intake, which allows your car to breathe more easily while producing a much cooler sound. However, we believe that when it comes to power improvements, these induction kit modifications are more hype than substance.
Install an intercooler to absorb the heat generated by the engine, allowing it to produce an additional output of up to 30 horsepower, depending on the other modifications you've made.
In most cases, front-mounted intercoolers are the most effective; however, finding a spot for them and fitting them might be difficult. It is possible that the front bumper/fender will need to be modified.
Getting a professionally flowing (ported and polished) head with larger valves helps fully release the engine's power. In nearly all situations of F34 tuning, your clutch will begin to complain, and this should be addressed - for more details, see our tutorial on clutches. The greatest upgrades that we propose for your F34 include remapping, sports camshafts, and induction improvements.
To avoid any problems, replace the plastic charge pipe with an aluminum charge pipe. The plastic charge pipes were prone to failure and should be replaced.
Upgrades to the F34's exhaust system
It is necessary to emphasize the F34 exhaust system, which is a particular source of frustration for the majority of owners.
Known for being a damp squib in terms of sound and performance, the F34 OEM system even plays false sound via your speakers, which suggests that BMW wasn't happy with the system and rushed out a fast patch!
Custom part designers are responding to this by developing endless alternatives for customizing the noise, free flow, and appearance of your exhaust system. Depending on where you live in the world, there are numerous high-quality improvements available.
Start with the exhaust header/manifold, which is the most important component. Having a unique free-flow exhaust header ensures that the air can exit in the quickest and most effective manner possible. Increasing the performance of the engine by allowing it to run at peak efficiency.
The installation of this mod can be expensive and time-consuming, but if done right, it can add at the very least tens of horsepower to your build while also making the car sound incredible.
Catalytic converters can also be limiting; however, with the legal obligation to install one of these in your vehicle, several businesses are developing free-flowing cats that allow for the most efficient escape of exhaust gases. (Check with your local authorities to ensure that removing or modifying your catalyst is legal in your area; there are numerous states and countries where doing so could result in tickets or the confiscation of your vehicle.)
Several of our members have expressed interest in the Exhaust range supplied by Remus for BMW F34 vehicles. Remus can provide a whole exhaust system setup, or you can choose from a variety of rear pieces (more to improve the sound than the performance).
These systems are loud enough to be noticed, but not so loud that they are detrimental to your hearing or that they make you lose your mind on a lengthy trip.
It is also possible to improve the appearance of the rear of your BMW by adding exhaust tips. When combined with a carbon fiber splitter, the result is a look that is of exceptional quality.
Modifications that improve the handling of the F34
When it comes to the F34, handling adjustments are frequently a top priority.
Good suspension changes for the F34 include a couple of degrees negative camber and 1-1.5 degrees of toe (set out to aid cornering or in for greater stability) on the front wheels, which usually result in improved handling.
We recommend that you install a performance suspension kit and lower the car by 27mm - 39mm to make it more aerodynamic. Larger drops necessitate arch work, which is especially important on vehicles that have already been equipped with a performance suspension.
It is very possible to make improvements to the suspension setup of the F34, especially if you get a set of adjustable shocks. H&R, Eiback, Vogtland, and Koni are all excellent manufacturers of upgrades and mods, but as with any upgrades or mods, you should avoid cheap, poorly manufactured alternatives, which will always prove to be a false economy in the long run.
In order to get sharper turning, slight dips in the suspension can provide significant benefits. As a result, you do not need to use extremely low and hard suspension configurations in order to achieve sharper cornering.
What considerations must you make when setting up and selecting your suspension if your F34 serves as a daily car as well?
Improvements to the bushings
What factors should you consider when setting up and selecting your suspension bushings if your F34 is also used as a daily driver?
It is possible to connect the F34's suspension components to the chassis of the F34 using poly bushes, which are replacements for the original rubber mounts. The rubber ones usually start to fail with time and need replacing anyway so why not upgrade.
Brand New OEM rubber bushings may have a major impact on the performance of your vehicle.
Because polyurethane bushes are stiffer, the ride may be less forgiving, but the bushes will last longer and maintain the car's handling for longer.
Increased vibration and play may also hasten the depreciation in other suspension components.
With a new set of poly bushes, the excessive play associated with rubber bushes may be lessened.
Some poly bushings are hard to locate, but most will find the primary mounts readily available in their local stores Custom poly bushes are often made to your requirements.
Many people believe that a 60mm lower F34 suspension kit from a franchised component shop would be optimal. However, this is not the case - suspension design and setup is quite complex.
Claims are often made that all F34 models and years may be able to utilise the same suspension kits sold by vendors.
To adequately support a diverse variety of vehicles, the "compromized" approach is obviously a mistake as engine weights and equipment trim levels all affect the cars handling characteristics.
How low should you go on the F34?
According to TorqueCars research and testing, the maximum amount of suspension drop for most road vehicles is 23 - 44 millimetres, whereas versions that come with lowered sporty suspension already have a maximum suspension drop of 20 millimetres.
These tolerances may be drastically lowered if the wheel size is changed. Even with 17" wheels and stock suspension, lowering the vehicle might result in a slew of issues.
Because the F34 is lower, less air travels under it, which may aid in stability; nonetheless, the main goal should always be to enhance handling. It is critical to use the proper shocks when employing lower springs buying matched components as a kit.
If you set the toe out to degrees on the front, and add a tiny bit of negative camber then cornering will dramatically be enhanced.
F34 Brake Upgrades
Increasing the size of the brake discs and the quality of the high friction brake pads can result in significantly improved braking.
Keep in mind that motorsport friction pads can be noisier and that they will need to be heated before they will begin to function properly.
Best power mods for the F34 series
The B58 engine was first used in the later models of the 3 Series, which were referred to as the sixth generation of the 3 Series.
Due to the fact that it just has a single turbocharger fitted on the engine, the 3.0L petrol produces approximately 330 horsepower out of the factory, which feels plenty lively and quick, but we've learned that you can never have too much power.
So, despite the fact that this is already an astounding figure, the B58 for example is capable of far greater things.
The single turbocharger is the most significant limiting element. As a result, a beefier turbo and an exhaust system that can release those hot gases more efficiently would be the first things to consider. The exhaust header/manifolds are generally where you find the power, a catback does add very little to the cars performance.
There are numerous possibilities available, therefore we recommend that you choose where in the power band you want the peak power to be located and then design your upgrading strategy around that.
Although a double turbo configuration is possible, there is little reason to do so when there are so many high-quality turbo designs available. The addition of Twin Scroll entry, faster spool up, and a more spectacular top end all contribute to an improved driving experience.
External Modifications for the F34
Carbon fiber parts are popular, and they look fantastic on a black, white, or grey F34. Rear spoilers add a lovely finishing touch to the F34, and fortunately, there are a variety of options available, so no matter what your preferences are, TorqueCars is confident that you will find something to suit you.
Many of the upgrades and modifications made to the F34 are references to the M3's style, with the addition of wings, wheels, and spoilers among the most popular additions.
- Carbon fibre improvements are becoming increasingly popular.
- Spoiler made of carbon fiber at the back (3M adhesive)
- Mirror covers made of carbon fiber
- Front lips made of carbon fiber
- kidneys Grilles made of carbon fiber
Even though there is a broad variety of designs and styles available, the majority of kits and parts have carbon fiber embellishments and have an M3 feel to them, We are more of a tuning and power site than a styling site, so we won't spend too much time on this topic, but you can get some inspiration from our car styling area if you like.
Upgrades to the F34's alloy wheels.
The advantages of alloy wheels include a reduction in unsprung weight as well as more efficient brake cooling due to the increased air flow provided by the wheels.
The runflats really ruin a good ride, and we would advise you to stay away from the larger wheels. Even the 18-inch wheels can feel quite crashy and cumbersome when compared to the 17-inch wheels, but you can get some light 18-inch wheels that should help fill the gap between appearance and performance.
Bridge-stone run-flat tires often begin to wear out after one year and must be replaced; therefore, ask around in our forums for more suitable alternatives to bridge-stone run-flat tires.
Consider upgrading to an excellent track-legal slick tyre to increase your handling and traction on your F34 in dry conditions. Using large rims on your F34 has the disadvantage of modifying your effective final drive ratio, which will have a negative impact on acceleration and handling.
Consequently, attempt to keep the total rolling diameter of the wheel within the regular factory specifications. In all situations, the height should not exceed 17 inches if you want the most practical daily driver road handling, the 18's are also a good compromise but we prefer the 17's if we are honest.
The Avant Garde wheels are pretty attractive, and they complement the F34 rather well. Avoid larger alloy wheel sizes if possible, as users have complained of tram lining and reduced steering feel, although one could argue that this is also due to the different tyre sizes used.
Ditch the run flats and replace them with something that fills the arches a little better, but avoid heavy wheels. After speaking with a number of F34 owners, we've discovered that they prefer smaller alloy wheel sizes.
Some customers preferred the passive suspension options over the active suspension options when the 18-inch wheels were installed, but we personally like the way the car handles when the 17-inch wheels are installed.
It is a matter of personal preference when it comes to alloy wheels, and fortunately, there are numerous aftermarket options that perform admirably and, more importantly; look fantastic on the F34.
F34's most typical flaws, common problems, and weak areas
- The power steering in the F34 does not feel as engaging as the power steering in the E90.
- Furthermore, oil leaks from the oil filter housing gasket and the valve cover gaskets are possible.
- It is possible that the transmission seal will fail, and you will have to replace the entire transmission.
- It is possible that the oil filter housing gasket will leak and will require repair.
- At times the coolant line may burst, causing the coolant to spill all over the place.
- Some models may experience electrical problems.
- The timing chains on the pre-LCI cars had issues, which were resolved after the facelift was completed.
- It is possible that your drive chain will fail, in which case you will need to fix your car's axle and differential.
- When your brakes make a squeaky sound, it is necessary to change the brake pads.
We invite you to join us in our friendly community where you may discuss F34 options in greater depth with other owners of the F34. For additional information on tuning your car, please visit our website. It would also be worthwhile to go through our unbiased BMW tuning articles in order to gain a thorough understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each adjustment.
For more information on Tuning your car please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss F30 options in more detail with our F34 owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased BMW tuning articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.
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